OUR ALUMNI
When Just Runners started, the aim was simple – to open more industry doors and promote diversity wherever possible. And, yes, on a small scale, we've achieved this. But the jobs 70% of Just Runners have moved on to aren't just day-to-day placements, many have landed plum full-time roles because of the experience and mentoring made available to them.
It goes without saying that such opportunity hasn’t come without the fantastic support of everyone who has promoted, and more importantly placed bookings with Just Runners. We currently have 14 runners on our books, who are steadily building their CVs and gaining experience in the freelance market. We hope our prized alumni, who are progressing through the ranks, are the first of many, many more… what a difference a year makes.
MARTIN KENTISH
ROGUE FILMS
I am a proud graduate of Just Runners so I am so happy to provide a testimony from me, as to how Just Runners has helped me crack into the Film and TV industry.
I graduated from Film School 4 years ago, and had no idea how to get in to the industry. I always wanted to be a writer/Director and had made a few short films, so I decided to pursue a career in the Film and TV world. I had tried sending out many CVs to production companies and got nowhere. I was losing my faith in the business and was considering another profession entirely.
I then got the number of Just Runners from my old tutor from film school who suggested I contact them. I went down to the training day with Paul McLoone, and found it really helpful to find out what would be expected of me in the Runner/PA role. Once I had completed that Just Runners were very quick in finding me work. I quickly found my feet and was getting enough work to keep the roof over my head and the lights on! It was a worry to me to start out in the freelancing world as I had never done it before, so to get regular work through Just Runners was a godsend.
I created a good name for myself with my enthusiasm and work ethic, and people began to ask for me by name, which was a great boost to me in my first year. I carried on making massive progress, and after two years I was asked to cover someone as an in-house office runner for Rogue Films. It was only supposed to be a temporary job for two weeks, but the person I was covering decided to leave two months later and Rogue Films decided to offer me a full time job. I have been here for over a year and I am now Office Manager at Rogue Films. I have asked Rogue to get me into the camera department as I now realise my favourite part of the industry is cinematography. They have offered to find me camera work and I have now got three camera assisting jobs through Rogue.
My career is now going from strength to strength and I am loving being part of the industry. I could not have done this without the help of Just Runners. They helped me to get my foot in the door, which I found to be impossible on my own. It is so daunting to try and break your way into the industry anyway, but for someone like me, a black man from a council estate in Harlesden, it was very difficult. It is hard to explain it to someone who doesn't come from my kind of background just how daunting it was to find your place in an industry where not too many people come from my background or look like me. Luckily I found Just Runners who were specifically set up to address this particular problem, in other words they got it. Just Runners knew what I was facing and were trying to create a viable way into this industry for people like me. Once I was in the right place it was up to me to make a go of it in all the jobs I was selected for. I was able to make a real name for myself as a runner and progressed from there.
I have now been in my current role for a year now and one of my jobs is to recruit runners for jobs and projects. Obviously I look to Just Runners for the runners on their roster for potential employment. I feel I have now come full circle and am proud to be employing people from my kind of background. I look forward to working with Just Runners to help more people from more diverse backgrounds in to the industry. I believe there is a place for people like me in this business and when we get in the door we can thrive in careers that previously seemed to be out of reach. Please keep doing what you are doing Just Runners, the Industry needs it.
Ronita Awoonor-Gordon
Freelance FLOOR RUNNER & Junior Production Assistant WITH production switchboard
Being on Just Runners helped me level the playing field quickly. When I began freelancing, I was turned away due to my lack of experience, and I struggled to find opportunities. I am grateful to have found Just Runners, as I have been able to build my CV and get on the sets of major commercials. Through Just Runners, I have been able to learn quickly what it takes to be a Runner and subsequently take on other roles on set.
Just Runners’ cause is invaluable and key to ensuring that underrepresented talent gets opportunities. I have seen firsthand how working with Just Runners has allowed production companies to ensure that they are taking steps towards tackling issues of underrepresentation. I will forever be grateful to Just Runners for helping me get my foot in the door.
BETHEN BLACKABEE
Freelance Production Executive & Videographer @ Butlin’s Big Weekenders
Just Runners really way the foot in the door for me. Having graduates a film degree with a lot of drive but no contacts, Paul and the team took me in and helped me to start building on that essential experience that would lead on to an amazing career for me.
I eventually ended up working full-time as a production assistant in the industry, and began to gravitate towards the camera department as my contacts continued to grow. To this day, Paul still reaches out with DOP and camera job opportunities, which is always a lovely reminder of how far I’ve come since 2021!
Just Runners have always shown a keen interest to continue to help me (and even my friends) with work and support. It’s a tough industry, and a strong support network goes a long way!
I’m now working as a production executive and lead video creative for Butlin’s Big Weekenders and Butlin’s Conference and Events, filming huge names in music (which as Just Runners know was a HUGE dream of mine) and getting paid to join in all on the fun! I still dabble in DOPing for music and events content (particularly festivals), and I’ve even worked for all of my favourite bands!
I highly recommend joining Just Runners if you’re starting out. Moving into film and tv is a scary leap, but they’ve helped me grow and build an amazing career, far further ahead than I thought I’d be at the age of 24!
Omer Burhan
Freelance Floor Runner with Production Switchboard
I dont know where I'd be without Just Runners. They helped forge the career I need, in addition to introducing me to opportunites where I was able to gain an internship that consequently put me on the path of production and I cant thank them enough.
Lucinda Knoyle Hughes
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT @ MARKS & SPENCER
I’m currently a Production Assistant at Marks & Spencer, and I owe a huge thanks to Just Runners for helping me get my start in the industry. They provided me with my first role as a runner (on a coffee ad!) leading to me work for two years in documentary film making at amazing companies like Raw TV, Fulwell 73, and now full time at Marks & Spencer.
Their support was key in building the experience I needed to advance my career in film and TV production. Thanks so much!
Cheyenne Waters
production manager apprenticeship at Walt Disney Company
Just runners has been fantastic and has taught me so much about the industry. The experience gave me a unique insight which I otherwise wouldn’t be able to achieve. It allowed me to find a space in such a competitive industry. The experience allowed me to gain my current placement year working at Disney, as the Production Management intern for the animation team. I wouldn’t have ever been able to achieve this without all the support from Just Runners. I believe the experience has been crucial in letting me and a new generation of people interested in film, TV, or advertising to get a foot in the door who wouldn’t otherwise be able to. I’ve learned so much from the entire experience, and I hope to use all my new-found knowledge to push towards a long and fruitful career. I want to thank every production company who took me in and allowed me to grow because, without all of your support, none of this would have been possible
Frank Hammond
freelance director, production assistant, 1st AD and lighting
Just Runners has been an amazing gateway into the industry and I owe you guys a lot. I think it's safe to say that Just Runners has put my foot in the door and proceeded to shove me inside! I really do hope to stay in touch with the agency and whenever I need a runner you'll always be my first port of call.
Penelope Joannidou
full-time runner at Speade
I remember having sent dozens of job application e-mails to companies without receiving any replies, trying to keep my hopes up despite the lack of response to my efforts, when one day I met Paul McLoone. That was the day when everything started. From not knowing anyone in the industry or in town, suddenly I was invited for a training and interview day with Just Runners, the company Paul put together. It all just got more and more exciting by Paul inspiring us to learn, giving us countless opportunities to attend industry events, meet industry professionals and start networking. Just Runners gave me opportunity to build a CV that helped me land future jobs in the industry
TOSIN LEPE
Production Switchboard
Thanks so much, Paul for believing in me and bringing me on board with Just Runners, it's really been life-changing and I'm eternally grateful!
KRISTIAN RAYES CABRERA
The Mill
I would have not got this far without your help with providing me the experience of running. Everything is going well and I really enjoy my job!
